Summer 2021 Issue

Sista’s Keeper

I AM my Sista’s Keeper

Summer 2021 Vol. 8, Issue 2

Class of 2021

Spotlight: Scripps National Spelling Bee Winner Zaila Avant-garde Plus: Healthy Vision Month

Alexandria Hunter Miss Black USA Talented Teen 2020

Summer 2021 Issue

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Shoutout to the

Editor’s

Class of 2021

Letter

Hsupporters for their continued patience with me & the magazine. ’ey sistas! I want to thank our subscribers &

It has been difficult for me to publish regularly as I was teaching virtually during the pandemic. However, I am now officially a full-time entrepreneur with my own business Elle Shanice Media, LLC. I can focus on producing more consistent content for you for upcoming 9-year anniversary & beyond.

Please follow us on social media (@sistaskeepermag) & download our mobile app on the App Store or Google Play.

Happy early birthday (8/30) to this issue’s cover girl Miss Black USA Talented Teen 2020 Alexandria Hunter (pg. 5).

Alexandria is an 18-year-old rising sophomore at James Madison University from Manassas, VA. She is a vocal performance/opera & pre-law major and the first winner from Virginia.

We have been a supporter of this pageant since 2011 and we are super excited to continue featuring the winners on our cover.

The Spotlight feature for this issue is Scripp’s National Spelling Bee & 3x Guinness World Record holder Zaila Avant-garde (pg. 5). This 14-year-old is not just a spelling wizard but an awesome basketball player as well.

Congratulations to the Class of 2021 (pg. 18).

Things continue to be different for you all since I graduated high school 15 years ago in 2006 (that’s me...top left).

I want to give a BIG shoutout to my baby sister Genesis (that’s us...bottom left) who is off to college for

Tell us what you think!

Join the conversation... #SistasKeeper

her freshman year at MY alma mater, North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, NC. I am so proud of her accomplishments so far and excited for the next step in her journey...my Aggie legacy!

As always, if you want to contact me of have any questions about the magazine, email me at: laporsha@sistaskeepermagazine.com or visit our website: www.sistaskeepermagazine.com Remember the purpose of Sista’s Keeper: to build you up as young women so you can be comfortable enough in yourself to help your sisters, cousins, friends, etc.

I hope that you enjoy this issue and remember: “I AM my Sista’s Keeper”

Summer 2021

Founding Editor/Publisher @SistasKeeperMag Sista’s Keeper

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Zaila is A-W-E-S-O-M-E

Spotlight

14-year-old Zaila Avante-garde became the first AfricanAmerican winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The winning word was “Murraya” but that’s not her only talent.

Louisiana native Zaila Avant-garde made history in July and had the biggest smile on her face.

After twirling around in her excitement, confetti rained down on her at the end of the competition on ESPN. She won a $50,000 prize but that is not even the only accomplishment she has.

She has competed in spelling bees for two years but the rising 9th grader holds three Guinness world records for dribbling, bouncing and juggling basketballs.

“Now I get to get a nice trophy, which is the best part of any win,” she said on ESPN. She hopes to see more African American students do well in the Scripps Spelling Bee in the next few years.

“The bee was a gate-opener to being interested in education.”

She began her journey from her hometown near New Orleans to the spelling bee finals in Orlando, FL. She got through 18 rounds of competition and more than 10,000 words after studying with her father.

COVID-19 brought new spelling bee rules that were put in place. Eight students were crowned co-champions in 2019.

The bee was canceled last year because of COVID concerns.

To watch Zaila’s winning moment & see her recordsetting dribbling skills, visit: www.sistaskeepermagazine.com

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Visit our website for photos, videos, events & MORE!!!!!

Extra content ONLY available online...

Coming in August 2021

All Things Back To School

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Summer 2021

Beauty

Collection

The zest has yet to come – it’s time to dive into a juicy, summertime fling with vibrant views of citrus hues! Introducing the Essie limited edition summer 2021 collection. Imagine the Italian Coast has you sipping a tangy drink and boldly calling over a handsome limon-fellow. Six summery shades with saturated and punchy bright nail polishes to capture a craving for color and summertime cheer.

You’ll want to flirt with each one of them.

Tangerine Tease $9.00

Feelin’ Just Lime $9.00

The secret to a standout summertime cheer? This saturated, bright orange nail polish with yellow undertones

The livin’ is easy when you’re wearing this bright, lime green nail polish with yellow undertones

Pucker Up $9.00 Citrus hues have kissed your fingertips so you can show off in this electric pink nail polish with refined tone-on-tone pearl

Zest Has Yet To Come $9.00 You’ll make the most of your fleeting summer days with this dusty gold nail polish with fine, tone-on-tone pearl

Get Your Grove On $9.00 Paint on confidence to call over that cute limon-fellow in this warm bronze nail polish with large gold shimmer pearls

Juicy Details $9.00 The secret to a standout summertime cheer? This saturated, bright blue nail polish with yellow undertones

For more on nail polish, nail care & more, visit: www.essie.com Summer 2021

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Beauty

Sweat It Out As we approach summer, there are two things we dread!

That’s the heat from the sun and the sweat that follows. Here are some skin care and sweat control tips to guide you through the summer.

Use a toner like witch hazel or anything with light, a Summer Skin Care Tips natural, refreshing ingredients like rose water, aloe or cucumber. Rose is often thought of for its refreshing scent.

A common misconception is to completely But Rose is actually great for the remedying excessive refrain from moisturizing your face and skin sweating, Eczema, Rosacea and dry skin. during the warm/hot months. Don’t stop It also helps with moisturizing skin and increasing the moisturizing you skin. glow in melanin enriched skin tones. Cucumber tightens pores, minimizing sweat. Cucumber also is a source of • Light oils and oil-based moisturizers are Vitamin C and soothes irritated skin. better for women of color. The oil locks in • Wearing cool fabrics such as cotton, linen, denim or moisture and is best to apply after a shower light blends. or washing your face.

• Routinely (at least twice a day) cleanse and moisturize • Product ingredients to look for include shea your body and face. This is especially important for butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil. If you use women who have reached puberty, have acne, play creamy lotions, it’s recommended to go sports or experience facial sweating a lot. light weight.

• If you tend to sweat in the vaginal area: wash the area • Use sunscreens, preferably dual-purpose with warm water throughout the day or use natural moisturizers with at least SPF30 in it. feminine wipes to keep the vagina clean and sweat SPF30 typically blocks about 97% of the free. Recommended products include The Honey suns UV rays. Product recommendation: Pot Natural and Sensitive Wipes or Summer’s Eve Supergoop Sunscreen with SPF40.

Vaginal Wipes. Both can be found in local Target • Decrease the amount of makeup applied. stores.

For example, try swapping your foundation • Don’t just use a deodorant. Use an antiperspirant or with a moisturizing, tinted moisturizers. antiperspirant deodorant. Deodorants only provide • If you wear makeup be sure to use products temporary scents. They don’t tackle or prevent with antioxidants in them. Vitamin C and E sweating like antiperspirants. Try to find aluminumfor example. free products or brands. Similar to the vagina, wash • Antioxidants help fight against deterioration areas like underarm pits throughout the day to keep and damage. From a skin care perspective, them clean and sweat free. antioxidants help protect against radiation.

• Get your vitamin C. You can do this in Post pictures and videos of your summer skin care multiple ways such as vitamin supplements, products and routines. Tik toks are welcome too. Be sure nutritious drinks, and vitamin C serums to use hash tags #SistasKeeper & #SistasSummer for a for your face care routine. Vitamin C is a change to be featured. natural antioxidant that aids in the natural replenishment of skin cells. For women of DISCLAIMER: This is not professional advice. The color, vitamin C is key in keeping our skin above guidance is based on proven personal practices and radiant and glowing. research by women of color, for women of color. Some skin care and perspiration needs may require medical attention.

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By: DayQuan Crawford Fashion

Simple Styles for Ready to get back out of the house (finally)?

Tanks + Jeans + Sandals = CUTE

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Combine a dress with sandals for Comfy Chic

Summer 2021

Summer Chic

Fashion

Get inspired by these looks for summer 2021.

Sun is out which means sundresses with cute accessories

Black is ALWAYS BACK

Summer 2021

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Health

Taking Care of

July is Healthy Vision Month. Even if you’re lucky enough to have perfect 20/20 vision, taking care of your eyes and protecting them against injury or infection are important parts of keeping your peepers perfect. like a baseball. Someone who needs corrective lenses to see usually has eyes that are shaped differently.

Myopia (pronounced: my-OH-pee-uh), or One of the best things you can do for your baby nearsightedness, is one of the most common problems blues (or greens, or browns, or hazels, or whatever teens have with their eyes. When a teen has myopia, color your eyes are) is to have them checked by your he or she is unable to focus properly on things that doctor whenever you have a physical examination. If you’re having trouble seeing or if your eyes have been are far away. People with myopia have eyes that are a little longer than normal, measuring from the front of hurting or bothering you, tell a parent so that you can the eyeball to the back. have your eyes examined by an eye specialist.

This extra length means that light focuses in front An ophthalmologist (pronounced: ahf-thehof the retina (the part of the eye that receives images MAH-luh-jist) is a medical doctor who specializes and sends them to the brain) instead of on it, and that in examining, diagnosing, and treating eyes and eye affects vision. Glasses or contacts can easily correct diseases. An optometrist is not a medical doctor, but this problem. has been trained to diagnose and treat many of the Hyperopia (pronounced: hy-per-OH-pee-uh), or same eye conditions as ophthalmologists, except for farsightedness, is another vision problem. People with treatments involving surgery. hyperopia have trouble focusing on things close up It’s a good idea to have your eyes checked at least because their eyes are too “short” from front to back. every 2 years or even more often if you have a family In people with hyperopia, light focuses behind the history of eye problems such as glaucoma or early retina instead of on it, causing blurry vision. Someone cataracts. with significant farsightedness will need glasses to correct his or her vision. But here’s an interesting fact: Common Vision Problems Many babies are born farsighted! Their eyeballs get longer as they grow, and most of them outgrow the Have you ever wondered whether there’s any truth in some of the stuff you may have been told about how condition.

Another condition where the eye is differently to treat your eyes? For example, you may have been shaped is astigmatism. Here, the cornea isn’t perfectly warned that sitting too close to the TV or computer round. To be able to see well — either close up or far can ruin your eyes. But that’s not true. away — the person needs contact lenses or glasses.

You also may have heard that using a nightOnce people reach 18 and their eyes are fully grown light (instead of bright light) to read will cause and less likely to change, some people choose to have nearsightedness, but there’s no clear scientific refractive surgery to correct myopia, hyperopia, or evidence to support this. You can strain your eyes if astigmatism so they don’t have to wear contacts or you don’t have enough light when you read, but it glasses anymore. Refractive surgery is a procedure won’t ruin your vision.

— usually done with a laser — that reshapes the eye So what’s the cause of many common vision to change the way light enters it and forms an image, problems? Often, eye shape and size. Someone with allowing a person to see better. perfect 20/20 vision has eyes that are basically round Vision Basics

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Your Vision Dealing With Common Eye Problems The best rule of thumb for when to see an eye specialist if you injure your eyes is “when in doubt, check it out!”

If you have a red eye, pain in an eye that doesn’t go away within a short period of time, or at any time have had changes in your vision, then it’s time to have your eyes checked.

If you get any small foreign objects in your eye, such as sand or sawdust or metal shavings, don’t rub it. Flush your eye for several minutes with lukewarm water (it may be easiest to do this in the shower). If it still feels as though there is something in your eye, then be sure to see an eye specialist.

If you’ve been hit in the eye and it looks strange or appears to be bleeding, or if you have changes in or lose your vision, go to a hospital emergency

Health

department right away to be checked out.

One of the most common eye injuries for teens is a scratched cornea, which is often related to wearing contact lenses or playing sports. With a scratched cornea, it may feel like something is in your eye when there’s really nothing there. Your eye may get red and irritated, produce lots of tears, and be overly sensitive to light.

If you think you have any kind of eye injury and you wear contact lenses, stop wearing your contacts until you see an eye specialist. Wearing contact lenses if you have an eye injury could damage your eyes more or cause an infection to develop. Don’t worry — if your cornea is scratched, it usually will heal quickly and may require a week or two of medicated eye drops and not wearing your contacts. You may hate wearing your old glasses, but it’s just for a little while — and it beats permanently damaging your eyes!

For more information on how to take care of your vision, visit: https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/vision-care.html Summer 2021

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Alexandra Sings

an Aria Miss Black USA Talented Teen 2020 Alexandria Hunter is the first winner of the pageant from the state of Virginia.

Although she did not get her full-year reign, she is making her mark as queen.

A

ugust brings a transition from one queen to another in the Miss Black USA Talented Teen pageant. When Alexandria Hunter returns to college, she will have passed on her successor.

The 18-year-old rising sophomore at James Madison University is a vocal performance/opera & pre-law major. She is excited to be able to perform live and professionally in college again.

“I’m looking forward to interacting in person with campus clubs like my vegan group “Food for Thought” and my music fraternity, Sigma Alpha Iota. ” Summer 2021

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V-A Proud Hunter is the first winner from Virginia of the Miss Black USA Talented Teen pageant.

She says that it’s always great to be the first at something.

“It’s very exciting that I get to represent my state in this way,” she says.

“I actually just found that out. This pageant is legendary and I get to be the first one from my state.”

Hunter has been doing pageants since she was little. She was part of the Miss Black USA Princess Program.

“Winning the Talented Teen competition was such a full-circle moment because my first pageant at age 7 was with this pageant system.

I learned so much and wanted to pursue excellence and compete more when I got older.”

life. So I got involved with choir and classical singing.”

When she was a sophomore, she decided that she wanted to be an opera singer and pursue it in college as a major and discovered that she could do it as a career as well.

Classical Chick

Hunter is passionate about environmental sustainability and that was her platform in the pageant.

“I’m focusing on having more teens on being more sustainable and cautious about the environment,” she says.

“I’m trying to promote veganism to other teens and being more environmentally aware of what they’re doing to protect the planet.”

Hunter is a vocal performance/opera major at James Madison University. During high school. she prepared for the college audition process.

“Having a musical theater background definitely helped me direct myself towards classical singing and I just fell in love with it,” she says.

“I love the way that you sing opera. It’s very glamourous, dramatic and deep. I’m happy to be on the path to study it.”

She says that she adores Kathleen Battle, a soprano who has a similar voice type.

“I’ve sang a lot of her songs and she’s been a very big inspiration. She is such a beautiful woman & I love her.”

She wants to inspire other young girls to pursue classical music. She says to never be afraid to be noticed and fabulous.

“I know that’s something that not a lot of people do but I want other girls to look into it,” she says.

“Always be yourself and you should be free to take risks for what you want.”

Hunter has been taking voice lessons since she was six years old and says she is really passionate about music.

“At first, I was doing mostly musical theater and pop. I also took piano and clarinet lessons in middle school,” she says.

“In high school, I took a step back from musical things but I knew I needed it in my

This year’s pageant was very different because of COVID-19: it was completely virtual. It took place over a week in February 2021.

“Throughout the week, we had to submit talent and workout/exercise portions of the pageant, then we did the on-stage Q&A live via

E for the Environment

Opera Interests

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Non-Traditional Pageant

About Alexandria Name: Alexandria Hunter Age: 18 Birthday: August 30th City: Manassas, VA Favorite Movie (genre): Comedy Favorite Food: Fried oyster mushrooms (she’s vegan!)

Favorite Color: Pink

Zoom,” she says.

“I didn’t get the normal chance to connect with the other contestants and only got to see them towards the end but I’m sure they were all amazing!”

“It was really different but I had a wonderful experience. I got to be creative in filming my video segments to submit so I had to make it work. It was fun!”

Mother’s Love

Hunter does not have any sisters but she values her relationship with her mother, the most important person in her life.

“My mon is my absoulte best friend and we’ve been able to spend so much more time together during the pandemic,” she says.

“I just love her because she has provided me with such amazing guidance and she really inspires me.”

Being Her Sista’s Keeper

Hunter says that her definition of being her Sista’s Keeper is being inspiring, protective, nurturing and kind to others.

“Being your Sista’s Keeper means being all the things that you would want in a really good friend for yourself.”

SK

For more from our interview with Alexandria, visit our website: www.sistaskeepermagazine.com Summer 2021

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Class of 2021 <- Genesis Lowry Mallard Creek High School Charlotte, NC Future Plans: North Carolina A&T

Chaney Morgan -> Mallard Creek High School Charlotte, NC Future Plans: Howard University

<- Allison Taylor Vance High School Charlotte, NC Future Plans: Fayetteville State University

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Graduates Tyla-Simone Crayton -> Homeschooled Houston, TX Future Plans: UC Berkeley

<- Mongai Fankam Carolina International School Charlotte, NC Future Plans: UNCG

Natalia Bryant -> Sage Hill School Newport Coast, CA Future Plans: USC

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Getting Ready

Education Feature

This college prep timeline provided by Minnesota Office of Higher Education will show you what you need to do to get ready for college.

7th & 8th Grade

• Begin thinking about the high school classes that will prepare you for college. Take the most difficult classes you can handle.

• Ask your parents or teachers to help you develop good study habits.

• Practice setting and reaching goals.

• Take interest and skills assessments to help you think about possible career options.

• Talk with your school counselor and parents about careers that interest you.

• Create a tentative high school class plan.

• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.

• Talk with your parents about saving and paying for college.

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In 9th & 10th Grade • Take interest and skills assessments to help you explore careers options.

• Talk with your school counselor about career options and the education required for those careers.

• Talk with friends, teachers, counselors and your parents about college.

• Review your high school class plan.

Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.

• Sign up for classes that will earn college

Summer 2021

• • • •

credit during your junior year through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Postsecondary Enrollment Options or Concurrent Enrollment.

Explore internships and apprenticeships.

Explore internships and apprenticeships.

Enroll in a summer enrichment program.

Participate in extracurricular activities.

Want to go to college?

It’s never too late to prepare...

For more information, visit: https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/

For College In 11th Grade • Attend college and financial aid events.

• Take the PSAT in the Fall to prepare for the SAT, and to identify areas where you need improvement.

• Consider possible career options and investigate the type of education that is needed.

• Request materials from schools that interest you and visit their websites.

• Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you.

• Review your high school class plan.

Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork. Make sure you are meeting your high school graduation requirements.

• Sign up for classes that will earn college credit during your senior year through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Postsecondary Enrollment Options or Concurrent Enrollment.

• Register for and take the ACT and/or SAT in the Spring.

• Research private scholarship options.

• Participate in extracurricular activities.

• Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.

Education Feature

In 12th Grade • Visit the colleges that interest you. It’s okay to go more than once.

• Select the schools to which you will apply. Make a list of deadlines for each school.

• Have your high school transcript sent to colleges which you’ve applied.

• Prepare a portfolio if you’re interested in the arts. Some fine arts college programs require one.

• Take or re-take the ACT and/or SAT in the fall.

• Attend a financial aid event.

• Search and apply for scholarships.

But be aware of financial aid search companies.

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid online.

• Review your high school class plan to make sure you are on track to graduate.

• Participate in extracurricular activities • Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.

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Black Women In History

Leontyne Price

The first African American soprano to receive international acclaim

• Born in Laurel, Mississippi, Price attended Central State University and then Juilliard

opera houses with Aida, before a successful debut at the Metropolitan Opera (Met) in 1961

• Began a long association with the Metropolitan Opera in 1961, where she was the first African American to be a leading performer

• Starred in a multitude of operas for 20 years, securing her place among the leading performers of her time

• Regularly appeared at the world's major opera houses

• Made her farewell opera performance at the Met in 1985 in Aida.

• Was the first African American to sing a leading role • Was particularly renowned for her performances of the title role in Verdi's Aida • Made her operatic debut as Mistress Ford in Verdi's Falstaff • Brought her to international attention with her 1955 televised performance & appearances • Performed at the world's major 22

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• After her retirement from opera, she continued to appear in recitals and orchestral concerts until 1997.

• After that, she came out of retirement to sing at special events, including a memorial concert for victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in Carnegie Hall in 2001.

• Among her many honors and awards are the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1964) and 19 Grammy Awards.

Black Women In History

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